The widely accepted history of pickleball states the originators "improvised and started playing with ping-pong paddles." As some versions of the early history go, the originators soon used scrap plywood on hand to create larger paddles. And thus began 51 years of continuous improvements and tweaks to pickleball paddles. Today, there is a truly bewildering array of paddles in wood, composite construction and pure graphite. Prices range from $8 to well more than $200.
Most beginners' first exposure to pickleball is with a heavy laminated wooden paddle. It typically doesn't take long for budding devotees of the game to upgrade to a composite paddle. Power players almost inevitably use the latest, greatest graphite paddle they can afford.
BIG 5 Sportings Good in Idaho Falls now stocks paddles. The City of Idaho Falls Parks & Recreation Division has some very good quality wooden "loaner" paddles. Members of APPLE may also use "loaner" paddles during normal pickleball playing times. Anyone wishing to upgrade to a composite or graphite paddle must find and order their choice online.
The above graphic is a mere representation of the incredible diversity of paddles available.
The lightest weight paddles are usually around 7 ounces. Wooden paddles are often more than 12 oz.
Above is a typical template for "do-it-yourself" pickleball paddle makers. This is a good representation of the typical dimensions of the paddle. Below, we discuss the original paddle.
Above is a typical looking table tennis racket. (AKA: ping pong paddle) according to official table tennis rules, the racket can be of any size, weight and shape. However, the vast majority of rackets are all a similar size...about six inches (15 CM across and 10 inches (25 CM) long including the 4 inch (10 CM) handle. You can compare this photo of a table tennis racket with the above pickleball paddle template so see how the table racket morphed into what pickleball paddles have become today.
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